Rickenbacker through a Marshall

wrattej · Post by **wrattej** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 1:16 am

I heard a lot of comments on what amp works best with a Rickenbacker. I'm definitely in the Marshall camp. I've seen pictures of Tony's Rickenbacker through a Marshall stack which looks cool (in a hernia-inducing sort of way). Paul Weller used to use that setup in 1979/1980 and I was always inspired by his guitar sound.

I've posted a pic of my Rickenbacker 1997SPC which I play through a Marshall 1974X 18W hand-wired combo and matching cab. For me, this is the best Rickenbacker tone that I've ever heard. I like the low-powered combo as it allows me to turn-it all the way up and drive the power tubes without blowing out the ear drums !

Anyway, I'm interested in all opinions on Rickenbacker through Marshall amps.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:45 am

I just can't wait for Tony's response.

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 3:58 am

Very nice John. I admit, I know nothing about Marshall's. I haven't tied them out yet;, but plan to based on Tony's and your high praise of them. I have a lot of things about the 18 watter John and I like the fact that you can use an extension speaker. I wish I could add one with my AC30. I also play a Gretsch Reverend Horton Heat (filtertrons) and wonder what that would sound like with a Marshall. The one thing I don't want is my amp breaking-up quickly. I like that sound but I need good headroom before breakup as I play quite a few songs that require a clean sound. With that said, I use a Boss Blues Driver BO-2 to add some subtle overdrive and boost when needed for lead. I have never seen the 18 watter John and understand they are sweet sounding. I would love to try one.

BTW, I did try the new AC30 combo, 1X12. It had a very chimey clean sound and definitely brokeup much quicker than my TBX and much quieter as well. It is loud and has more flexibility and features that its older brother.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 4:00 am

The really great thing about Marshall is that you know what you're going to get & you are NEVER disapointed. You just plug in & you don't have to look for the sound...it's there! Fantastic amps that deliver true world class sound, but at a reasonable price. I admit that some of the newer amps are not to my taste (too many knobs & switches), as I think that Marshall have tried to become all things to all men, when what they really excell at, is being...Marshall! Their valvestate range are IMO pretty dier, but I take it we are talking about their pro ranges.

I apreciate that a lot of forumites are looking for that '60's sound & as such turn to Vox or other combos, but I'm not looking for a '60's sound & you really have to hear a Ric through a 8x12 Marshall stack! I use a fair amount of overdrive, but I had a chap in the studio doing Shadows songs the other day & the Marshall through a 4x12 sounded amazing clean. Really warm & classy sounding. I have always preferred the 4x12 sound, with it's underlying sub bass, compared to a combo (especially an open backed combo), so 2 4x12's are even better live!

John, I like large power rigs, so you can turn all the way up & make some real noise!

Mine's got a master volume, so I can get a very good range of overdrive at not TOO rediculous a volume...it's a late '70's/early '80's model.

One of my first posts on the forum was expressing my opinion that Rickenbackers are as relevant today as they were in the '60's & are too often touted as being retro '60's machines, when in fact they are more than capable of competing with the very best modern gtrs. It's interesting that in my effort to find a contemporary sound, I am using both a gtr & an amp that have changed little in the last 50 years or so....

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 4:07 am

Bill, if you want more headroom for clean playing, then just buy a 100w head & a 4x12...you'll love it. Once you get used to tube overdrive, then pedals quickly become obsolete!

jcreasy · Post by **jcreasy** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 4:18 am

Mesa Heartbreaker

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 6:47 am

Anthony, what Marshall model are you using? I would think a JCM800 would sound great with a Rick.

I use a Mesa rig; a 2x12 Tremoverb Combo and a 2x12 Maverick combo, with a 2x12 Orange extention cab for when I need the extra push. The tremoverb is probably the best amp i've come across, having never played a Road King. It has pristine cleans, and can get any style of gain you want, from a little bit of bluesy crunch to metal.

dustoff · Post by **dustoff** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 7:35 am

I've kinda gotten into the stereo thing.
On the left side of the room I use a tweed Fender Blues DeVille 60 watt tube amp with 4X10 alnico's on top of a Marshall 4X12 bottom with Vintage 30's. On the right side of the room I use a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 60 watt tube amp with 2X12 vintage 30's on top of a Marshall 2X12 bottom with 2X12 vintage 30's.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 12:55 pm

John, it says on the back 'Mk 2 Master Model 100w Lead', so I guess that's what it is. Like I said, it's quite old. I play through an old angled 4x12 Marshall bass cab on top & a newer (but tattier) gtr 4x12 straight Marshall cab underneath.

Seems to do the job nicely!

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 1:30 pm

Tony: Does it look like this? These heads have sold to close to $900 US faily recently.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:01 pm

"The really great thing about Marshall is that you know what you're going to get & you are NEVER disapointed"

The really great thing about Mesa/Boogie is that you know what you're going to get & you are NEVER disappointed!!!

This one is about 18 watts and can take extension cabs.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:05 pm

Well reiterated, Jeff!

I'm a Mesa convert and haven't looked back. I went through about five amps last year, including a Marshall, a Twin Reverb, an Orange, and an AC-30. Towards Christmastime, I bought my Tremoverb and i've stuck with it. The only addition was the Maverick, which I got for free.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 3:04 pm

For free!!!?

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 3:53 pm

For free! A neurologist friend of mine was moving from Manhattan to California and didn't care to bring it with him, so he told me to just come take it off his hands.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 5:21 pm

Well I never....... the nerve of the man!!